Why Olive Young Has Become a Must-Visit for Beauty-Loving Travelers to South Korea

[medi K / HEALTH IN NEWS] For anyone planning a trip to South Korea—or simply dreaming about one—the name **Olive Young** (올리브영) inevitably comes up in conversations about K-beauty shopping. It's become something of a pilgrimage site for international visitors, where the allure of Korean skincare turns a simple errand into a full-blown experience. And the numbers tell the story: from January through November 2025, foreign tourists spent more than 1 trillion won (about $680 million) at Olive Young's offline stores across the country, according to data from Global Tax Free, which showed that roughly 88 percent of all tax-refunded cosmetics purchases in Korea happened there. That's a staggering figure, underscoring how this health and beauty chain has cemented its place as the go-to channel for travelers hunting for authentic K-beauty products.

What draws so many overseas shoppers isn't just the vast selection—though that's impressive—but the way Olive Young organizes its skincare offerings by category rather than pushing individual items or brands. For foreigners, many of whom aren't familiar with the famous multi-step Korean routine, this approach makes navigation far less intimidating. The most sought-after sections tend to cluster around core categories: toners, serums, creams, sheet masks, and sunscreens.

A toner, for instance, comes right after cleansing to balance and prep the skin. Serums are concentrated treatments tailored to specific concerns, like hydration or brightness. Creams seal in moisture and nourishment, often combining water- and oil-based benefits. Sheet masks offer a quick, intensive boost—perfect for a hotel-room pamper session during a short stay. And sunscreen is treated as an everyday essential, shielding against UV rays even on cloudy days. Focusing on these roles and the typical order of application helps newcomers build a simple routine without feeling overwhelmed.

Practical tips can smooth the experience further. Some Olive Young locations offer on-the-spot tax refunds for foreigners, though availability varies by store—it's always wise to check at the checkout and have your passport handy. For a sense of what's trending, the chain's global website features a bestsellers page broken down by category, with rankings that shift seasonally.

First-time visitors, especially those with limited time in Korea, do well to think in categories rather than chasing specific products. Start with basics like a toner, cream, and sunscreen for a straightforward regimen, then layer in a serum or sheet masks as needed. It's an efficient way to dip into K-beauty without the pressure, leaving room to enjoy the rest of the trip.

Miso Park / press@themedik.kr

K-Culture&Travel

K-Culture & Travel

Why Do Koreans Grill Pork Belly on Heavy Fine Dust Days?

On hazy days in Seoul, when the air turns thick with fine dust carried in from distant deserts and industrial zones, many Koreans head straight for the grill. It's a ritual as comforting as it is quirky: sizzling strips of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly, 삼겹살), wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, kimchi, and a splash of sesame oil. The belief persists that this beloved cut of pork somehow counters the pollution clinging to the lungs. Sales of pork belly have long spiked during severe air quality alerts, a pattern observed for years whenever the skies grow heavy.1. The Roots of a Persiste

K-Culture & Travel

An Hour from Seoul, History and Fairy Tales Share the Same Incheon Hillside

Just an hour from the neon pulse of Seoul, in the port city of Incheon’s Jung-gu district, two worlds sit side by side on the same hillside, as if history and fairy tale decided to become neighbors.On one flank, the red-brick banks and customs houses of the late-nineteenth-century treaty port still stand, their windows framing the same harbor view they did when Incheon was Joseon Korea’s reluctant doorway to the world. On the other, narrow alleys explode with color—murals of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Snow White’s apple, Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. This is the Open Port Cultural Di

K-Culture & Travel

How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks

South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air

K-Culture & Travel

Why the National Museum of Korea Should Top Every Seoul Itinerary

If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, make it the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Tucked beside the sprawling Yongsan Family Park in the heart of the capital, this serene, low-slung complex—its reflecting pools and graceful roofs echoing the palaces of old—holds the finest single collection of Korean art and artifacts anywhere on earth.Why it belongs on every itinerarySix permanent galleries trace the arc of Korean civilization from the Paleolithic to the present day, displaying some 12,000 objects in a layout that feels almost cinematic. You walk through time: past the d